25+ Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
If you’re new to using the pressure cooker, you’re going to love this round-up of healthy and easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners. Learn to make rice, soup, potatoes, beans, and veggies. All of these recipes are great for meal prepping or for quick weeknight meals.
The pressure cooker is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to prepare healthy foods. I use it on a daily basis to make everything from baked sweet potatoes, rice, chicken, soups, stews, and more.
Learning how to use the Instant Pot can be a bit of a learning curve, though. The most common complaint I get about the Instant Pot is that people have purchased one, but it’s still in the box.
I was guilty of that, too. When I first got an electric pressure cooker several years ago, I was scared of it. I was afraid of not doing it correctly and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to figure it out.
It does take some work to get started using an electric pressure cooker. That’s why I put together a whole step-by-step guide for how to use the Instant Pot.
But, once you’ve got the Instant Pot out of the box and you’ve done your water test, then you should be ready to go. Now it’s time to start making healthy food for your family! Here are some of my favorite easy recipes for beginners.
Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
This list of Easy Instant Pot Recipes is organized into two main categories: one-ingredient recipes and easy meals and side dishes. As you get started using your Instant Pot, feel free to reach out and ask me any questions in the comments section.
You can also join my free Facebook group where I share easy and healthy Instant Pot recipes. Or, you can see my entire index of gluten-free Instant Pot recipes.
FAQs About Using the Instant Pot
You should do the water test according to the directions on the Instant Pot. Then, try something simple like baked potatoes, rice, or a vegetable.
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. What nobody tells you is that it takes at least 10 minutes for almost any food to come to pressure in the Instant Pot. Then, there is the cook time and the natural release time (unless you use the quick release). So, while the food doesn’t necessarily cook instantly, using a pressure cooker is a more hands-off way of preparing food. And, some foods will cook faster than in the oven, including potatoes.
I have a round-up of the best Instant Pot cookbooks. You may also wish to check out my Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook! Other than that, check out my index of Instant Pot recipes.
Don’t Miss These Instant Pot Resources
Easy Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
This post includes easy and healthy Instant Pot healthy, basic recipes for beginners, including basic cooked proteins, soup, vegetables, and rice. Once you learn how to cook these healthy basics, you will find that you'll be so much more comfortable using the pressure cooker.
Basics
Here are some of my favorite single-ingredient basic recipes for the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Red Potatoes (Perfect Texture)
You'll never use your oven to cook potatoes again once you've mastered cooking them in the Instant Pot. This recipe is so easy, and red potatoes can be served with almost any main dish.
Instant Pot Brown Lentils (Basic Recipe)
Cooked lentils are incredibly versatile. Use them on top of saalds or to make lentil burgers. Lentils are so easy to make in Instant Pot!
Easiest Instant Pot Whole Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are a staple in my house. You can serve them whole right out of the post, or mash them with some ghee and cinnamon for a healthy treat.
Instant Pot Cabbage
Cabbage is an underappreciated vegetable that can be made right in the Intsant Pot. Serve this cooked vegetable with your favorite protein for a healthy, low-carb combination.
Instant Pot Cauliflower Florets
Making cauliflower in the Instant Pot is just so easy. I make this recipe at least once a week. Cooked cauliflower florets are an easy, healthy side dish.
Instant Pot Beets
Beets are so healthy! Learn how to cook them without the mess right in the Instant Pot. So easy!!!
Instant Pot Whole Butternut Squash
Cutting into a whole butternut squash can be a little bit dangers. The Instant Pot comes to the rescue since you can just pop in a whole butternut squash without having to cut it or even poke holes in it.
Instant Pot Carrots - So Easy & Delicious
Everyone loves this healthy and easy Instant Pot carrot recipe that only has a few ingredients. Serve this as an easy weeknight side dish.
Instant Pot Easiest Hard Boiled Eggs
Learn how to make the easiest hard-boiled eggs right in the pressure cooker. Cooked eggs make a great and healthy snack for the week.
Instant Pot Artichokes (Easy, Healthy Recipe)
You are going to love this super easy rcipe for making whole artichokes right in the pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes (Perfect Texture)
You'll never bake potatoes in the oven again after you see how easy it is to make them in the Instant Pot!
Easiest Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Throw away your rice cooker! The Instant Pot cooked basmati rice perfectly.
Instant Pot Kabocha Squash
Don't worry about cutting into hard squashes. Simply pop the whole squash in the Instant Pot and let it cook.
Easy Meals & Side Dishes
Here are a few of the easiest Instant Pot side dish and main dish recipes you'll ever find. These recipes are all healthy and made using real food ingredients, too!
Easy Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This is one of my all-time favorite Instant Pot side dishes. I make this every year for the holidays.
Instant Pot Easy Chicken & Sweet Potato Dinner
This recipe is so simple, using just sweet potatoes, chicken, and canned tomatoes. Everyone in your family will love this easy chicken dinner.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
This is a great one-pot meal where the recipe and chicken get cooked together at the same time. This chicken soup is so comforting and delicious.
Instant Pot Spanish Rice
This is an easy side dish you can make right in the Instant Pot and serve with almost any main dish.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup (30-Minute Meal)
This is one of the easiest vegetable soup recipes you'll ever find. It's so delicious and hearty with both potatoes and veggies.
Instant Pot Salmon and Vegetables
Cook frozen salmon with veggies and potatoes in this easy, one-pot dinner dish.
Instant Pot Chicken Soup with Potatoes
Cook both chicken and potaotes at the same time for thie easy, hearty chicken stew.
Instant Pot Lemon Quinoa Vegetable Salad (One-Pot, Vegan)
You won't believe how simple it is to cook quinoa in the Instant Pot. This easy recipe is healthy and plant-based.
Instant Pot Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Chili
When you want a lighter version of chili, try this recipe using ground turkey. It's a great healthy meal.
Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup
Baked potato soup is the epitome of comfort food. This simple recipe is a family favorite.
Instant Pot Red Lentil Dal
For vegans and vegetarians, this super easy Intant Pot Dal is a great recipe to have in your back pocket. It only takes a few minutes to make.
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest is the author of the best-selling Instant Pot-authorized cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot Cookbook. She has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and receives nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
